FBI searches Palm Spring City Hall in relation to criminal activity

Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation have served search warrants at the Palm Springs City Hall based on allegations of a crime, according to a local news report. A team is also at the mayor's home.

Agents arrived at City Hall at 9 a.m. PT, telling all employees to drop off their work cellphones and exit the building, according to KESQ. The FBI agents said they would be on the scene for hours in the search for evidence.

The Riverside County District Attorney's Office and agents with the Internal Revenue Service are also on the scene, KESQ reported.

The raid of Pougnet's home comes about three months since the California Fair Political Practices Commission opened an investigation into the mayor's decision to give Richard Meaney, a developer, a deal on city property. The Desert Sun had previously reported that the mayor was given more than $200,000 for consulting work done for Union Abbey, a suspended business owned by Meaney.